SeethaSeetha-The Pathfinder
“Amma, one more lullaby or a story”, Seetha requested, her mother.
“Ya Amma, please one more.” Seetha’s siblings also requested mother to sing.
Although, Amma was very tired, she sang and the children slept quietly. Their family was from a small village near Belgam. Seetha’s father was a Primary School Teacher. He was born and brought up n the same village but did not have his own land and property but owned only small house. He was managing to get by the meager salary. They had one more member “ Kapila” cow. Family members and Kapila were very happy and content.
Mr. Narayan had one dream or can say only aim that each and every child must get education and 100% literacy in the village. But there was a big problem the School had only Primary level education and for Secondary level children had to go to a different school in a nearby village and that too by travelling in a boat by crossing a river. But people were very helpful that they used to take care of each child.
Seetha completed her Primary Education and started to go to School in nearby village. There were 15 children and used to enjoy a lot during their travelling. They belonged to poor family but were very content. Parents had faith in their children and in god so they never worried.
Since childhood, Seetha dreamt of excellence in studies and to go to America for further study. Her second dream was to build Secondary School in her village so that in future no child would have to go to another place to study.
She was very Brilliant in studies, genius, brave girl and had inbuilt leadership quality. Her imagination Power was very strong as she used to hear stories from her mother. She had kept her mother’s words in her mind that “ Never Give up”.
Seetha scored highest marks in her 10 th standard and topped in her Board. The parents and villagers were incredibly proud of her. She became an inspiration for girl child . At that time once again Seetha reminded herself about her goals and to try her level best to achieve the same. Since there was no college in their village, her father managed to get her college admission in one of the best college in the city. He also make an arrangement for a girl’s hostel near the college. Seetha got Scholarship and was awarded free education till her graduation.
While leaving her home, Seetha became very emotional, but she managed to kept herself okay. With lots of love, blessings and hugs from the family and friends and her “ Kapila” she started her journey. Mr.Narayan went to drop her to the hostel, gave some money and opened Bank Account in her name and returned.
Family was very upset as they were missing Seetha so much. Even their cow “Kapila” was very quiet as if she was also missing her. Every day before going to School, Seetha used to hug Kapila. Same was the condition with Seetha. She was feeling very lonely and depressive as there was no response from her hostel room partners. She kept on crying in the night but there was none to take care of her. Once again she managed to come out of her emotional imbalance.
Next morning, she went with her I card and attended all lectures. It was very difficult for Seetha to understand the concepts as she was from vernacular medium and English Subject was her third language. She used to learn from her father . Even she read a lot of story books in English during vacation. But in college each subject was taught in English so She felt shy . But she remember her mother’s words “ There is solution for every problem.” After lecture hours, she went to Library and became member. She decided to spend some hours for English Subject . After concentrating on English continuously for one month and reading Dictionary in Night she developed some confidence. After somedays her Room Partners also started behaving nicely with her. They were impressed by her Simplicity and easy going nature. Seetha used to call her family regularly.
Seetha had only 5 pairs of dresses. Many times she heard sarcastic remarks and comments passed by some girls about her dresses and poor fashion sense. They used to call her village girl. But Seetha never paid attention , ignored her critics and focused on her aim.
After about six months, Seetha became favorite of every Professor because of her outstanding performance in exam. They found Seetha as the most Intelligent student of the college. Even girls who used to pass remarks became her friends. One professor Mrs. Arya used to appreciate Seetha a lot. She came to know about Seetha’s struggle till day and the pain and hardship faced by her. But Seetha never complained. Mrs. Arya encourage Seetha to appear for external exams and completion like” Nation Genius Talent Search” and explained that how the said competition would provide a platform to go abroad for further studies . Seetha apart from her studies , also started to work hard for the said competition. She became topper in her 12 th standard.
Days passed very fast , she completed her graduation and appeared for the “ NGTS” Exam. She won the title as genius and was felicitated in her college. Next day, Principal madam called her and convinced that she should try further to win in “ International Genius Talent Search” which is going to be held in America in next three months. Mrs. Arya also convinced her and told that she should go as such kind of opportunities are very rare where whole expenses were incurred by the Institute. Seetha told that she had never gone out of the city so how would she be able to go to America and that her parents were poor. So Principal madam explained that she was not alone but there would be more students from India as representatives and it was a matter of only 7 days. Seetha asked about the Passport and Visa . Mrs. Arya took the responsibility for the same.
Seetha informed good news to her family. They were very happy . Mr. Narayan raised a loan and transferred money in Seetha’s Bank. Within a period of 2 months her Passport and Visa were ready. Seetha was very nervous but her friends and roommates help her in grooming, and explaining her about table manners, how to represent herself , etc.
And the day came, Seetha alongwith her other representatives were ready to go to America. She was in two states that her dream was going to be true and was little bit nervous. Fortunately, her journey was very safe and all managed to go to the destination successfully. As usual Seetha stood first amongst all the competitors and won a huge prize of 10,000 Dollars . She was also offered to study further in one of the best University and part time job for research work for which she would get stipend of 5,000 Dollars. Seetha’s achievement was just amazing. She became a celebrity. But she managed to balance herself. She was thinking that she would be successful only when her second dream to build a School would be achieved. She asked her father and he permitted her decision to stay for further study.
She accepted the Offer and returned to India. Again she was felicitated in the University. Seetha told Mrs. Arya about her future palns . She was very happy to hear. Seetha went to her village for 10 days to meet her family before going to America. She got warm welcome. She expressed her desire about School. She transferred money in her father’s account after spending some money on gifts for friends and Mrs. Arya and her family. Her father informed her that Nagarpanchayat has also agreed to give some funds and place to build a school and to provide teachers. But that amount was not sufficient, some more fund was required.
Seetha’s tenure in her village was the most memorable. She cherished her childhood memory. Again she started her journey. She stayed at Mrs.Arya’s place. She told her that she would never ever forget her in her life. Mrs. Arya advised her to be helpful whenever she found needy people. Mrs. Arya and Seetha’s friends came to Airport to see her off. They wished her. Mrs. Arya’s brother who was in USA had arranged a rented home owned by an Indian Elderly couple with food facility at a very nominal rate.
When she arrived for the second time, she was very confident. She found her rented house as her second home and Indian Uncle and Aunty as very caring and helpful.
Seetha started her new Carreer. She worked very hard. She was very much appreciated by her Research Team and became popular. She used to call her family daily. She used to transfer money she got as stipend in her father’s account. She learnt swimming, driving. She also visited famous places. A period of 3 years passed like fast forward time machine. Her father informed one day that School building was ready and everything was going in a smooth manner. And she decided to return to India .She got recognition and respect in America for her valuable contribution . By God’s grace her stay was very safe and without any difficulties. Inspite of highest paid job offers, she made up her mind to return. She became very emotional while leaving Indian Uncle and Aunt and her friends overthere.
Finally she came to her village and there she found a nice 2 storey building was ready. She could not believe. She decided to inaugurate and to start the School at the earliest. She invited her Principal madam and Mrs. Arya as chief guests. Finally the day came and in the presence of every villagers the function started. Mrs. Arya and Principal madam appreciated and congratulated Seetha’s Parents. Guests were felicitated and gave speech. Than Seetha was asked to say few words. She became emotional and started her speech,
“Today I am on top of the world. My dream to see future generation is going to study their secondary education in their own village came true. Its unbelievable. This is not only my success but there are many people who played major invisible role . Their unconditional love, help without any expectation and blessings were highlights. I am very grateful to my family, Mrs. Arya, Principal madam, my friends in India and in America , Indian Uncle and Aunty. They believed in me and help me to come out of nothing to something. I learnt that “Life is an exam where syllabus are unknown and question papers are not set but once you are clear about your aim than half of the battle is won. With hard work and passion to achieve the dream Universe helps you in miraculous way. I request my village people to believe in your child and encourage them to study. I once again thank you all.”
Everyone praised and admired Seetha a lot and they took lot of photos of the happy moments.
